Drama
Drama is at the heart of life at Chinthurst. From Pre-Reception to Year 6, every child enjoys drama lessons that build confidence, creativity and communication skills while having fun.
In the Upper School, lessons are led by our specialist Drama teacher, Mrs Stricker-Timmermans (known to the children as Mrs S-T), whose passion and expertise inspire children to develop their performance skills, confidence and creativity. Through improvisation, storytelling, characterisation, movement and performance, children learn to express themselves, work collaboratively and develop the confidence to step outside their comfort zone. Every term brings new opportunities to explore different aspects of drama in a supportive and engaging environment.
From September 2026, Drama will have a new home in our purpose-built Creative Arts Building, providing an inspiring space where children can rehearse, perform and develop their creativity as part of our thriving performing arts programme.
Opportunities to Shine
Performance is a celebrated part of the Chinthurst experience. From Nativity plays in Nursery to Year 2, to productions in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6, every child has the opportunity to shine. In Year 5, children devise and create their own production, developing creative and performance skills that provide an excellent foundation for senior school and beyond. By the time they reach Year 6, children take part in a major production that showcases the confidence, resilience and teamwork they have developed throughout their journey.
Performance opportunities are woven throughout school life. Each week, a different class leads a whole-school assembly at our local church, sharing their learning with fellow children, staff and parents. These regular opportunities to speak and perform in front of an audience help children develop confidence, communication skills and self-belief from an early age.
Excellence in Performance
Children from Year 1 to Year 6 can take individual LAMDA lessons as part of our peripatetic programme, developing skills in acting, public speaking and communication. As a registered LAMDA examination centre, Chinthurst has built an outstanding reputation for excellence, with more than a third of our children choosing to participate in the programme. Our results are consistently exceptional, with 93% of children achieving Distinction grades last year and the remaining children awarded Merits. These achievements reflect the high-quality teaching, dedication and enthusiasm that underpin our drama provision.
Beyond examinations, LAMDA helps children develop confidence, self-expression and resilience – skills that support them both in school and throughout their lives. The strength of Drama at Chinthurst is reflected in the many drama scholarships our children are awarded as they move on to senior school each year.
Confidence for Life
Drama at Chinthurst is about much more than performing on stage. Through regular opportunities to speak, present and perform, children develop the confidence, resilience and communication skills that will serve them throughout their lives. They learn to express their ideas clearly, speak in front of an audience, collaborate with others and think creatively, while developing empathy, perseverance and self-belief.
The impact can be seen across the school community. Our children are comfortable speaking with visitors, making eye contact and sharing their thoughts with confidence and respect. They learn how to present themselves positively in interviews and new situations, stand up for what is right and embrace challenges with determination. Senior schools frequently comment on the maturity, confidence and communication skills of Chinthurst children - qualities that become part of the Chinthurst spirit and help them thrive long after they leave us.